Improvement in truss-bridges



A. BRNEMAN.

Truss-Bridge.

No. 219,846. Patented Sept. 23, 1879'.

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.MM ma UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUSTBORNEMAN, OF LANCASTER, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN TRUSS-BRI DGES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 219,846, dated September 23, 1879; application filed March 1, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AUGUsT BORNEMAN, of Lancaster, in the county of Faireld and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Truss-Bridge, of which the following is a specification.

My improved bridge is constructed with chords rest-ing at their extremities on upright pillars, and truss rods Vextending obliquely downward from the ends of the chord, and attached at their inner ends'by Welded links to a horizontal connecting-rod, the said links affordin g seats for seat-plates which support the under bearers on which the road-bed rests. Shouldered posts are applied betweenthe upper chords and the under bearers to distribute the load.

In order that my invention may be fully understood, I will proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my iinproved bridge. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section on the line 3 3, Fig. 2'. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the under side of the seatplate and a part otl the rod attached thereto A A represent abutments, preferably of masonry, serving as foundations for stone pillars B B, upon which .the ends of the top chords, C O, rest on interposed bearingplates b b. In the ends of each chord O are securely bolted truss rods D D, extending obliquely downward, and connected at their lower ends by a horizontal rod, DI, through the medium of links D2.

The top chord, O, is made of either wood or iron. When of wood it is constructed in two pieces, packed and. bolted together, as shown, to keep it straight.

The truss-rods are made of wrought-iron, and constitute a continuous solid welded chain, consist-ing of straight bars D D, with eyes welded into the links D2. These links form level bearings for the under bearers, E, a plate, F, of cast-iron, being placed on top of the link D2 to form a seat for the under bearer.

Intermediate posts, G, are gained or shouldered into the under bearers near their ends,

and extend upward to the chord G. Vertical rods H, extending down through the center of these posts, connect the cast seatF, under bearer, E, and top chord, O. There is no strain on these rods. They are only employedA to keep the link, casting, and under bearer in their proper places.

I I are stringers resting on the under bearers, E, and supporting the ooring J.

K K are brace-rods extending diagonally downward from the junction of the chords C and posts G, and connected at their lower ends to the eyes of the horizontal section D1 of the truss-rod by means of screw-links K', to provide for tightening up the said brace-rods. VThese rods are for the purpose of stiffening the structure.

The brace-rods K in the center panelor the tie-rods H can be removed at any time without disturbing the truss.

A s my bridge-truss is supported on pillars, it is manifest that it will ontlast any which has its main support on abutments on the level of the ground, and is thus constantly exposed to dampness from the earth. In. my bridge these parts will dry quickly after each rain, and hence are much less liable to decay or corA rode. A

The advantage in raising this bridge consists in the fact that it can be done without false works or trestles. In practice I can with four men raise and nish a forty-foot bridge in four hours.

Having thus described my invention, the following is what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. The combination of the suspension-rods D D and horizontal rods D1, connected by welded links D2 D2, for the reception of the seatplates F, asset forth, for the purposes stated.

2. The combination of the pillars or abut ments B B, chords C, suspension-rodsD D, horizontal connecting-rods D1, links D2 D2, seat-plates F, and struts or posts G Gr, sub stantially as and for the purposes set forth.

AUGUST BORNEMAN.

Witnesses THos. H. DoLsoN, LEVI HITE. 

